Past and future. Tradition and innovation. Design and craftsmanship. Concepts deeply rooted in the brand's DNA. These are the values that represent the most intimate essence of BORBONESE, a key player in the Made in Italy scene, that has evolved from a sophisticated artisan's workshop in early 20th century Turin into one of the most important names in fashion today.

The great adventure began in the early 1900s in a small shop in via Bogino, in Turin opposite the entrance to the noble Graneri della Roccia building, beneath a sign made up of Belle Époque letters (which survives to this very day), citing "Jewels, Designs, fashion novelties".

The brand's expansion has been closely tied to the History of Italian Fashion. From the glamorous era of 1960s couture to the golden age of design in the Seventies and the Made in Italy explosion of the 80s, to the more recent challenges of globalization.

The "company" already existed at the start of the 1900s, when it supplied jewellery and small accessories for the most prestigious tailors of Turin. The BORBONESE workshop was acquired by Lucia Lorenzoni Ginestrone, an established local milliner. During the '50s Umberto Ginestrone worked alongside his mother in the family worksop and the collaboration with Edoardo Calcagno began. The development of the BORBONESE brand had just begun.

The workshop was across the road from the Artists Club of Turin and through this proximity to the artistic trends that were invading the city, it developed a form of creativity which was both sophisticated and eclectic. This is exemplified in the famous Butterfly Jewels that were to become a recurring decorative feature and a BORBONESE icon.

The motto "Accessories are the protagonist ... clothing follows" inspired the BORBONESE creations and jewels, that were characterized by highly unusual forms and innovative materials, such as an exclusive synthetic resin that was patented in 1958. This allowed the brand to gain international recognition and from the '60s all the most prestigious fashion houses like Fendi, Valentino, Ungaro, Galitzine and Yves Saint Laurent sought the collaboration of BORBONESE for their own creations.

In 1971 the collaboration with Redwall from Bologna began. The company which was, and is to this day, based in Pianoro in the hills of Emilia Romagna, created a revolutionary line of bags that combined light, destructured forms with no lining with a unique softness and durability thanks to an exclusive production process for suede known as: the Occhio di Pernice [Eye of Partridge]. The OP was thus born.

The Eye of Partridge was not a graphic symbol or a monogram, but a type of production technique for suede lambskin which produces a spotted sandpiper effect that made this leather distinct and remains the trademark feature of BORBONESE.

The first bags, Sexy, Luna and Estensibile are still cult items. Alongside these, season after season, new models such as Mambo, Tango, Rider or Swing were added, as were new classics such as the Luna saddlebag. In addition, Borbonese offered an incredible range of travel accessories and small leather products, made in Eye of Partidge or in modern combinations of leathers and different production techniques, such as the brand new Sole, made from napa leather and folded leather - the must-have item for 2008.

Accessories become incredibly modern genuine ready-to-wear bags with Sexy and its Ingot Platelet closings, which were amongst the first logoed zip pullers in the History of Fashion. The unmistakable golden tag has become one of BORBONESE'S symbols, along with another distinct emblem, the Screws.

Since the early Eighties, BORBONESE has been a genuine lifestyle brand. Thanks to collaborations with high profile partners, a homeware collections was launched - BORBONESE for Somma - and sophisticated furniture was produced with Rossi di Albizzate, a leading design company.

As well as these lines, there have been special exclusive collaborations, including the interior design project with the architect Alberto Rolla, through which homes were designed like tailored suits. Moreover, there were orders for the seats of customized motorcars, the design of yachts and even the inside of the royal train of the Middle Eastern monarch, King Faisal, during a highly successful period throughout the '80s and early '90s.

In 1999 the first prêt-à-porter collection was launched for Women and in 2000 Alessandro Dell'Acqua was appointed as the Group's creative director.

His first clothing and accessories collection was presented to great acclaim in the February 2001 during the Women's Fashion Week in Milan. The sources of inspiration were the cinema of past and present and its icons, such as Monica Vitti, who had been a client of BORBONESE during her life and to whom the Vitti Bag of SS '08 was dedicated.

The new millenium has seen the continuation of BORBONESE'S expansion: in 2002 the first monobrand store was opened in Via della Spiga and later completely refurbished in September 2006.

On the back of the research into design during the 2004 Milan Salone del Mobile [Furniture Fair] a restyled Home collection was presented, which was characterized by the input of the architects/designers Matteo Thun, Poi & Tito Tosi with the collaboration of historic partners including Somma for homeware and Rossi di Albizzate for furniture. In addition, a parnership with the famous Veneto based shoe producer, Baldan 88, was started for the creation of a new footwear collection.

In 2005 BORBONESE celebrated its 50th birthday, with the launch of a monograph published by Mondadori Electa which told the story of the brand through the words of Decio Giulio Carugati, a preface by Giusi Ferré and the many archive pictures taken by masters such as Giampaolo Barbieri, Michelangelo Di Battista, Satoshi Saikusa and Helmut Newton.

But the 50th anniversary was in reality just another starting point. In 2005 two new licences were added and presented during Milan's Salone del Mobile, including Desart for table top.

Starting with the Autumn-Winter 2007-2008 collection new licensing agreements were reached - Givuesse, that will produce and distribute globally the BORBONESE fur products; and Frangi, for the production and distribution of a new line of accessories such as foulards, scarves, gloves and hats, made from silk, wool and cashmere, as well as an underwear and beachwear collection.

Fo the brand's development and expansion in foreign markets, Ready has been chosen as BORBONESE'S distribution partner for the US.

Alongside these operations, there are a whole series of special events that highlight the artistic, experimental and cultural nature which has characterized BORBONESE from the outset, such as the recent sponsorship of the exhibition of the work of the artist Ferdinando Botero at the Palazzo Reale in Milan. This is part of a wider project that identifies art as one of the points of reference to look towards for inspiration and to interact with in order to transmit the characteristic values of BORBONESE.

From a small family-run business, to a successful company, to a large international group: BORBONESE, where, season after season, heritage, crafsmanship and a flair for fashion are linked to research, industry, design, glamour and innovation.